News that Bolsover District Council is set to receive a share of a £2.6billion pot of money to help deliver local projects has been welcomed, with caution, by Labour Council Leader, Steve Fritchley.
The Shared Prosperity Fund is aimed at addressing three priorities which are Communities and Place; Local Businesses; and People and Skills.
Every district and unitary authority in England will receive a share, but the total amount each will receive will be decided through a funding formula, rather than a bidding competition.
Steve said, “Any sort of funding is great. It will help us continue what we have already started, but we must proceed with caution. The government have not told us how much we are going to be allocated or how they intend on working it out. So we can’t say for certain what projects will go-ahead at this time.
One thing Steve was certain of though is that work will continue on Bolsover Labour Group’s Vision Bolsover ambitions which focuses on key projects such as:
- improving the infrastructure with new and extended rail passenger services for Shirebrook and Pinxton,
- regenerating our town centres,
- developing post 16 education and the construction of a regional technology centre and
- building new housing and leisure/community facilities.
Steve added, “We have already made great strides in building new council homes. We have undertaken a skills audit so we know what gaps there are and what training is needed. We have excellent working relationships with businesses so we can help them thrive. And we have started to encourage and attract more tourists to the area through the support we give to tourism attractions and other organisations.”
The fund is due to be launched in the spring and Bolsover District Council have agreed to work with partners to write an Investment Plan which will detail the projects the money would be used for.
Rather than bemoaning a lack of investment from the Tories, Steve prefers to focus on what Labour is doing. “We will continue to work with our partners to bring together ideas and plans that will benefit our local communities and create a better and brighter future for all. It may take us a little longer if we don’t get bundles of cash thrown at us, but we know we have some of the hardest working, innovative and creative people in the UK right here in Bolsover District and we will succeed.”